PIA Press Release2006/10/25

Gov't to open NAIA-3 by 1st quarter - 2007

Manila (25 October) -- Barring any major problem, the government is ready to open the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 before the end of the first quarter next year.

Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio R. Bunye disclosed in his regular press briefing this afternoon that the tentative date agreed upon in preliminary meetings is March 2007.

"Everything, however, will depend on the physical infrastructure," he stressed, referring to possible major deficiencies that may delay the opening.

Bunye said that the NAIA management is now assessing the physical facilities of the terminal to make sure that the safety and welfare of the commuting passengers are safeguarded.

The government, according to him, is now upgrading the terminal's facilities to the tune of $10 to $12 million.

Bunye said NAIA general manager Alfonso Cusi presented to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo the ongoing technical, internal and funding preparation of NAIA 3 during the joint National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board and National Security Council (NSC) meeting in Malacaņang this morning.

Bunye cited the importance of opening the terminal to the public as soon as possible to establish before the world the country's economic development and its being a vital transport hub in Southeast Asia.

"The mandate is clear: We have to open the NAIA Terminal 3 as soon as possible. We know the importance of NAIA 3 in terms of establishing the Philippines as a transport hub of the region and the effect on this on the Philippine economy," he explained. (PIA-MMIO) [top]